Chapter 33. After the Words of Blessing Ended

Raskal knelt on one knee atop the crimson carpet, his head bowed low.

At the end of the carpet, rising with each step of the stairway, stood a throne of gold.

Seated upon that golden throne was Wilhelm Zigranto—the King of the Zigranto Kingdom, and hero of the war thirty years past.

He took a slow sip of the blood-red wine he had been swirling in his hand before opening his mouth.

“I didn’t think I’d be retracting a formal marriage proposal—sealed with my own hand—within ten days, Duke.”

Though his tone might have seemed playful at a glance, the weight of his words was anything but.

Raskal could feel the stiffness locking into the back of his neck as he lowered his head even further.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. I acted too hastily…”

“No, no. I am not here to reprimand you.”

King Wilhelm cut him off in a calm, unhurried voice.

Then, he took another sip of the wine.

The dark crimson liquid stained his lips—faded by time—with a richer hue.

His lips, now tinged a bluish red, stretched into a long line before parting once more.

“I am well aware that Dalia, daughter of Baron Blair, is a woman of great ambition.”

“…I am sorry.”

“Tsk. I said, I am not blaming you.”

The King’s voice was almost kind as he stopped Raskal again.

But his eyes remained cold, void of even a trace of warmth.

“I merely pity you, young Duke. Things have unfolded in such a way that it’ll be even harder now to claim that pitiable young lady.”

“I regret causing Your Majesty concern.”

“Still, do not despair.”

The King chose to ignore Raskal’s response, as if he hadn’t heard it at all.

“If your feelings for that girl are true and everlasting, then rest assured—they will be repaid in time.”

With that, he drew a small locket pendant from within his robes.

It opened with a soft click, well-worn from use.

Inside, he gazed upon a smiling woman captured in a black-and-white photo, brushing it with his eyes as if caressing her cheek.

Though the image was monochrome, the memories it summoned were vivid, almost blindingly so.

Flaming red hair that billowed like fire, golden eyes sparkling like champagne.

Her voice had been so fresh it carried the scent of spring grass, and her smile—so white and radiant—was still seared into his vision.

King Wilhelm closed the locket with a soft snap, sealing those memories once again, and added with a smile,

“Just as I, too, was able to win the heart of the late Queen Muriel in the end.”

Despite the affectionate blessing, Raskal remained tense, bowing even deeper.

“I… I am honored.”

After concluding the late-night audience, Raskal exited the royal chamber, quickly wrapping his pale hands in his long cloak.

Exhaling a puff of white breath into the darkened night sky, he muttered,

“…It seems I’ll need to make the first move.”

* * *

‘Good mint leaves.’

At those words, Serenia fell for it completely and walked right into Ain’s country cottage—presumably his country estate.

It was the total opposite of the Riverview mansion in the capital, which was the pinnacle of elegance and splendor. This was a small, ordinary home.

Naturally, this modest two-story house had no parlor.

No butlers, no servants, no other family members.

In other words, the situation was…

‘A man and a woman, alone, in a secluded forest cottage!’

Realizing this far too late, Serenia hesitated.

‘Should I run for it?’

But she quickly shook her head.

Based on everything she’d experienced with him so far, Ain didn’t seem like the type to take advantage of a situation like this.

And honestly, even if he was that sort of lowlife, it wasn’t a huge problem.

‘A delicate stage actor like him? If things go south, I could totally overpower him.’

Granted, she’d just learned firsthand that his arms and chest weren’t as delicate as she thought—but once an impression was set, it didn’t change easily.

‘…And more than anything, it’s already too late.’

Between tailing him, proposing, and crying her eyes out, time had flown by.

By now, she should’ve either stopped somewhere to find an inn or set up camp for the night.

‘Shameless as it is, I’ll just crash by the fireplace and try not to be a bother.’

With that in mind, she eyed the well-stocked fireplace fondly and sipped the warm mint tea he’d given her.

As soon as they entered the house, Ain had busied himself lighting fires, boiling water, and bringing out blankets. He hadn’t sat still for a second.

By the time he finally finished everything and sat down for a breather, Serenia voiced something that had been bugging her.

“So, what did you mean by ‘a long time ago’?”

“…Pardon?”

Even the way his eyes darted awkwardly gave away that she’d hit the mark.

“You said earlier that I’ve been like medicine to you for a long time.”

“Ah, that, uh…”

“And sure, let’s pretend it’s fine that you were going on about me being poison.”

As Ain grimaced like she’d punched him in the gut, Serenia pressed on, her words crisp and clear.

“We only met for the first time in front of that bank a little over a month ago, so calling it ‘a long time ago’ is just weird, no matter how you spin it.”

Now he was even trying to avoid her gaze.

Following his eyes, Serenia asked again,

“So, I have to ask—have we met before?”

At that moment, his wavering gaze calmed.

And in a smooth, unshaken voice, he replied,

“It must’ve slipped out without thinking.”

“…Huh?”

“Those few days when you were unconscious felt like a thousand years to me.”

His words flowed like they’d been oiled.

Serenia narrowed her eyes.

“…You’re acting. Right now.”

Even with her deadpan tone, Ain replied without missing a beat,

“Acting? Whatever do you mean? I’m completely lost.”

“Don’t give me that! I saw your eyes twitch. You were clearly panicked, then switched expressions instantly. If that’s not acting, what is?”

Ain didn’t even twitch. He just shrugged.

“Hm? Did it occur to you that that panic might’ve been the act?”

“Th-That’s…”

It was a valid point, and Serenia faltered, mumbling.

“I guess… that’s possible…”

Taking that opportunity, Ain claimed he had something else to do and dashed off again.

Serenia glared at his retreating figure.

Then, she noticed the snow-lotus bouquet she’d given him, now arranged neatly in a vase on the shelf by the entrance.

‘…Fine. I’ll let this slide.’

They were going to see each other often from now on anyway. There’d be plenty of chances to press him later.

Relaxing, Serenia downed the rest of her mint tea in one gulp.

The clean, refreshing taste was truly top-notch.

Satisfied, she tidied the empty cup herself, then settled down by the fireplace.

It was still a little early for bed.

But maybe it was because she’d pulled an all-nighter, or spent all day wandering in the freezing cold only to finally get warm…

Or maybe it was the relief of everything going well. Or the exhaustion from crying so much.

Her entire body felt heavy, her eyes falling shut on their own.

Using her coat as a makeshift blanket, she leaned against the warm wall by the fireplace and let herself drift off.

“…Miss.”

“….”

“My lady!”

Serenia’s eyes flew open to the urgent shake of her shoulders and someone calling out.

“Huh? What—what is it? Did something happen?”

Still half-asleep, she quickly scanned the room.

Was there a fire? No, everything looked fine.

‘Wait… am I on fire…?’

Her dazed mind jumped to absurd conclusions.

She started patting her hair and sleeves just to be sure, while Ain—kneeling in front of her—let out a deep sigh and slumped to the floor.

“Huh? What’s wrong? Did you catch fire?”

“…What are you even saying…”

His voice sounded utterly drained with relief.

Serenia blinked at him, still groggy, and replied,

“I mean… you woke me up so suddenly. I thought there was an emergency or something.”

At that, Ain’s face twisted into an expression somewhere between a laugh and a sob.

He sighed and muttered, almost to himself,

“I checked the stove in the room, came back, and saw you slumped in the corner like that… I thought you’d passed out again…”

“Ah.”

Serenia winced, flashing a sheepish smile. Ain grumbled, almost like a complaint.

“You really scared me.”

“Mm. Sorry. I was just tired and meant to close my eyes for a bit…”

“If you were tired, you should’ve gone to the room. Why out here?”

“Well, barging into someone’s house uninvited and demanding a room seemed kinda rude…”

Ain sighed deeply.

He looked like he didn’t even know where to begin with her.

“Fine. Just get up, please. Stay there any longer and you really will catch fire.”

Half-joking, he offered his gloved hand to Serenia, still sitting by the fireplace.

Grasping his hand, she pushed herself up—

Ping—

Her body swayed, and darkness washed over her vision.